Transformation Efforts
Front Door Transformation Efforts
As we imagine a new front door we must push for true transformation of the system and a reorientation to a child and family well-being system. A transformed front door can only happen within a transformed system that operates in a completely different orientation than the current child welfare system. Most of the efforts below have never been attempted or have not been fully implemented by current child welfare systems across the country.
Transformation Efforts Needed for a Front Door to a New System Rooted in Justice
A front door to a new child and family well-being system run by community-based organizations, not government agencies, and designed to keep families intact or supporting youth in their choice to living independently by offering immediate and unrestricted access to:
Universal Basic Income that ensures that families and youth who do not have access to the job market, are unemployed, or pursuing higher education or job training have access to a basic income that allows less than 30% of their income to go to housing costs. This should be coupled with comprehensive employment services to families and youth in entering or reentering the job market and returning to a living wage.
Direct Cash Assistance offered short-term in the form of direct cash in the hands of families and youth to help cover basic living expenses and needs on the path to longer-term strategies, such as Universal Basic Income.
Expanded Earned Income Tax Credit that permanently sets the age of eligibility for any youth experiencing homelessness at 18 (including for childless EITC) and increases the annual amount of the credit.
A dedicated housing voucher program for families and youth who choose independent living, not restricted by eligibility or prioritization requirements but is instead available on-demand for any family or youth in need of a housing unit. The vouchers could be used in the private market and newly developed and rehabbed affordable housing described in the housing pillar.
Free legal aid and a right to counsel pre-petition and in all court proceedings. All families and youth would be offered free legal assistance to navigate family and youth rights and if the court needed to intervene for matters of safety the family and the youth would each have a right to free counsel.
State and federally funded supportive services that include access, without any eligibility requirements, to quality:
treatment services,
mental health services,
family counseling and reconciliation services, especially for LGBTQ youth and families,
child care,
parent supports, and
independent living skills
Services that are provided by parents and youth with experience in the child welfare system (peer-to-peer) and from marginalized communities including Black, Indigenous, Brown, and Queer communities.
Services that are focused on healing from the trauma caused by the system and by family separation.